The Job Front | Finding a Path to Your Purpose through Self-Awareness

If your work life has lost its luster, know that you are not alone, my friend.

Regrouping when something isn’t working is part of the evolution of You, and more so than ever, we are awakening to the call to do something that matters to us. In the professional arena, specifically, more and more individuals are daring to change jobs or career paths when it just doesn’t “do it” for them anymore. Did you know that people hold between ten and fifteen jobs during their career with many holding four jobs before turning 32? (Read more here and here.)

Whether a long-time coming or an abrupt moment of clarity, there’s no better time than now to get going!

Over the course of the next few weeks, we will navigate important questions and thinking patterns to set the course for a satisfying career path.

First step, know thyself.

You need to get clear on who you are and what you want because it’s a heckuva lot easier to get where you want to go when you know what it looks like.

We’re going to get the ideas flowing through a creative exercise, and it is one of my favorites! I get out the sharpies and a thick piece of paper and just go nuts on whatever I’m wanting to work through, define, describe, create, solve… you get the picture.For best results, put your computer away for the first part. A connection between mind, heart and body is activated with the activity of writing, and as you’ll see, that’s key!

Be as pragmatic or as emotionally-focused as you’d like. (Mine usually have been a blend of both… along with some whimsical doodles 🙂 ) Important: include any factors that fuel your inspiration or activates your intrinsic desire to push on (i.e. motivation).

After you get it all down, you’ll post it somewhere in your home where you’ll see it.

Here are a few thought-starters to get you going:

The values that are important to youThese could be values you want embodied by an organization, infused in your work or empowered by your paycheck, i.e. because of your paycheck, you’re able to donate more money to an organization you like, or have opportunities to speak to large groups about a cause that’s important to you, or pay for your yoga certification. Money isn’t dirty, and it’s ok to want it!Financial stability gives us options, and options give us freedom. When we use money strategically and in alignment with our values, we can affect great change in our lives and our community.

What you want to be doing at a high-level and day-to-day

The level of impact you want to have in your organization, your community, even on any direct reports
Consider how you want to feel, how you want them to feel as a result of working with you, how it might look, etc.

How you want to feel in the office and with the people who work thereWords like “collaborative and supportive”, “autonomous and independent contribution” or “fast-paced” vs. “traditional” are descriptors to consider as you get clear the look and feel of it

Once you’re satisfied that you’ve captured it on the page, post it in your home in a location where you’ll see it regularly. Prime real estate? The front of the fridge!

Remember that, even after you’re done, you may get inklings of other words or phrases you want to include. If so, add them in! It will evolve as you do!

What’s next?

In our next segment, we’ll craft the strategy that will take you from your current role to that Ideal Job. We’ll build on the intrinsic motivations and must-have’s you’ve already named with deeper insights and an actionable plan.

As always, we love to hear your thoughts, your best practices, your tips, tricks and techniques – and so does our community! So please share them below, and if someone in your tribe, network, company needs a little direction, share this post. We’re stronger together.

About Katherine

I am an Atlanta-based Integrated Health Coach who has spent a lifetime navigating the delicate, yet rocky terrain of acute health conditions. While pursuing a fast-paced, always-on traditional career path, I developed and honed holistic health practices and resources that allowed me to survive and thrive! Painfully aware that my experience was not unique, I created Sprout and Rosebud to help others create a life they love to live.